Blackjack Lanza

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Blackjack Lanza
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.[1]
DiedDecember 8, 2021(2021-12-08) (aged 86)
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
Spouse(s)
Barbara Kalil
​
(m. 1957)​
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Blackjack Lanza[2]
Jack Lanza[2]
Joe Lanza[2]
Billed height6 ft 5 in (196 cm)[2]
Billed weight253 lb (115 kg)[2]
Billed fromAlbuquerque, New Mexico[1]
Laredo, Texas[3]
Trained byVerne Gagne[2]
Debut1961
Retired1985

John Mortl Lanzo

professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Blackjack Lanza. Along with his long-term tag team partner, Blackjack Mulligan, Lanza was one-half of The Blackjacks: "black cowboy hat-wearing, cowboy boot-stomping, rugged hombres who drew money wherever they went".[5]

From the 1960s to 1980s, Lanza wrestled for promotions such as the

WWWF World Tag Team Championship alongside Mulligan. He is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
.

Early life

Lanza was born on October 14, 1935, to William Lanza and Louise Mortl, and attended the University of Minnesota and worked as a sociology teacher.[4]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1961–1962)

Lanza, from

Minneapolis, Minnesota, was trained by local promoter Verne Gagne and started his wrestling career in 1961. He wrestled a few matches for NWA Mid-America in Birmingham, Alabama, under the name "Joe Lanza". In 1962, he briefly held the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship.[1][6][7]

St. Louis Wrestling Club (1962–1963, 1966–1978)

Lanza had a sporadic wrestling career with the St. Louis Wrestling Club from 1962 to 1963 and again from 1966 to 1978. In February 1969, he had a 60-minute draw against former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Gene Kiniski, solidifying his status as an "instant contender."[8]

American Wrestling Association (1962–1979)

See also: The Blackjacks

In mid-1962, Lanza returned to Minnesota, where he joined Gagne's

Bobby Duncum and was managed by Bobby Heenan.[9] During his time in the company, his gimmick was that of a Western cowboy.[10] The duo won the AWA World Tag Team Championship on July 23, 1976.[11] In the 1970s, Lanza and Mulligan teamed up to form The Blackjacks.[4] Lanza was a main-eventer when the duo began teaming together.[10] They were managed by Bobby Heenan.[9]

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (1963)

In 1963, Lanza joined the

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling promotion, wrestling as "Jack Lanza". He left the promotion the following year.[12]

World Wrestling Association (1967–1972)

Lanza wrestled for the

Indianapolis, Indiana-based World Wrestling Association from 1967 to 1972.[13] Accompanied by Bobby Heenan, he defeated Wilbur Snyder for the WWA World Heavyweight Championship in September 1967. His reign lasted until August 1969, when he was defeated by Dick the Bruiser.[14] In 1971, The Blackjacks began wrestling in the WWA. In November 1971, they defeated Paul Christy and Wilbur Snyder for the WWA World Tag Team Championship. Their reign lasted until September 1972, when they lost to The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser.[15]

World Wide Wrestling Federation (1973, 1975)

Lanza debuted in the

Vince McMahon Sr. promised Lanza that he would receive one World singles title shot a month.[10]

NWA Big Time Wrestling (1974–1975)

In January 1974, The Blackjacks joined the

Dallas, Texas-based NWA Big Time Wrestling promotion.[18] Later that month, they were named the NWA American Tag Team Champions. Their reign lasted until July 1974, when they were defeated by Ken Patera and Tex McKenzie.[19][20] In December 1974, he won the vacant NWA American Heavyweight Championship. He lost the championship to Fritz Von Erich later that month.[21][22]

Georgia Championship Wrestling (1979)

In 1979, Lanza wrestled for Georgia Championship Wrestling. He defeated Bob Armstrong for the NWA Georgia Television Championship in April, holding the championship until August 1979, when he was defeated by Ray Candy.[23][24]

Late career (1979–1985)

After Georgia Championship Wrestling, Lanza was inactive from wrestling until 1983. He returned to AWA American Wrestling Association where he feuded with Bobby Heenan in bunkhouse matches defeating Heenan in all of them. That same year he reunited with Blackjack Mulligan working St. Louis and AWA. The Blackjacks broke up in 1984. He retired from wrestling in 1985 and worked for WWF as a road agent.[citation needed]

Personal life

Lanza married Barbara Jean Kalil on September 28, 1957, and they lived in Douglas County, Minnesota.[4][25]

Death

On December 8, 2021, Jim Ross announced via Twitter that Lanza had died.[26] He was 86 years old, and had been in poor health.[4]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-1-61321-875-4
    .
  2. ^ a b c d e f Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Blackjack Lanza". Cagematch.net. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "The Blackjacks". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Oliver, Greg (December 8, 2021). "'World's meanest wrestler' Blackjack Lanza dies". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2021-12-08. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  5. ISBN 978-0-7434-6504-5
    .
  6. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Career - National Wrestling Alliance". Cagematch.net. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  7. ^ a b "NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title [Tennessee & Alabama]". Wrestling-Titles.com. April 28, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  8. ^ Meltzer, Dave (July 2003). Wrestling Observer Newsletter. p. 5.
  9. ^ a b "Hall of Fame: The Blackjacks". WWE.com. Archived from the original on 2007-07-03. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  10. ^ a b c d e David Chappell. "Blackjack Mulligan interview". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Archived from the original on 2008-04-22. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  11. ^ "AWA World Tag Team Title History". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  12. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Career - Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling". Cagematch.net. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  13. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Career - World Wrestling Association". Cagematch.net. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  14. Solie.org
    . Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  15. Solie.org
    . Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  16. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Career - World Wide Wrestling Federation". Cagematch.net. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  17. ^ "World Tag Team Title History". WWE. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  18. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Career - Big Time Wrestling". Cagematch.net. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  19. ^
    ISBN 978-0-9698161-5-7
    .
  20. ^ a b "N.W.A. American Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  21. ^
    ISBN 0-9698161-5-4
    .
  22. ^ a b "NWA United States Heavyweight Title (1967-1968/05) - American Heavyweight Title (1968/05-1986/02)". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  23. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Career - Georgia Championship Wrestling". Cagematch.net. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  24. ^
    Solie.org
    . Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  25. ^ "911022 Summons - QUT". EchoPress News. June 10, 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2021. John M. Lanzo and Barbara Jean Lanzo, husband and wife; ...
  26. ^ Middleton, Marc (December 8, 2021). "WWE Legend Blackjack Lanza Passes Away". Wrestling Inc. Archived from the original on 2021-12-08. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  27. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4
    .
  28. ^ Johnson, Mike (November 20, 2015). "PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME MOVING FROM UPSTATE NEW YORK TO TEXAS". PWInsider. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved November 20, 2015.

External links

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